This House retirement thing is becoming an epidemic. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), the 42 year-old son of the late Edward Kennedy, will retire, ending the Kennedy legacy on Capitol Hill for the first time in generations. Kennedy released a commercial making his announcement, which will air in Rhode Island on Sunday.
Contrary to what some are saying, this would not mean that 2011 will be the first Congress without a Kennedy in more than 60 years. John F. Kennedy was first elected to the House in 1947, but after becoming President in 1961, there was a two-year gap without a Kennedy in Congress. Bobby was Attorney General, and JFK’s former college roommate Ben Smith filled out his Senate term, because Teddy wasn’t old enough to serve in the Senate until mid-1962. Teddy won the 1962 special election for the seat, and that continued the unbroken record. So if you count the White House, there’s been a Kennedy in office since 1947; but for Congress, the record only runs from 1962 to the present. Until Patrick leaves his seat.
This is a very Democratic seat, which Barack Obama took by 32 points, and it’s expected to remain in Democratic hands.
